A Powerful Reflection of Today’s Society Through an Ethos of Sustainability: Hikari no Yami SS26 at NYFW
Photos by Eunjoo Jeong / VRAI Magazine
On day two of New York Fashion Week (NYFW), we found ourselves diving into the world of Hikari no Yami and the SS26 — Spring/Summer 2026 — “Chapter 9: The Invisible Man” collection unveiled in a dentistry office in Midtown Manhattan.
Founded and created by Jakarie Whitaker, the SS26 collection embodies the dissonance experienced by Black men in America: seen, yet unseen, according to the collection notes. Created from deadstock fabrics — recycled Japanese cottons, wool, polyester-blends, etc. — Whitaker created silhouettes inspired by Japanese design sensibilities and American streetwear through patchwork and in a timeless color palette of black, white and grey.
The result is a collection filled with rawness and contrasts in light and dark — looks that embody a modern vision of streetwear suits.
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Hikari no Yami SS26 Runway
Hikari no Yami SS26 Presentation
See all our NYFW coverage during September 2025.
